The offseason in the NHL is a very interesting time. After awarding the Stanley Cup, the league enters the draft and free agency phase of the year. Rumors of extensions and trades swirl throughout hockey circles, and mock drafts begin to raise speculation toward the future of various franchises. Next is the free agency frenzy, and fans speculate where the big names on the market will land in the coming days. However, in the midst of all the chaos, one of the more fun pieces of the offseason is breaking down new NHL uniforms in 2020.

As teams begin to get older, they begin to make special logos that are worn on the uniforms for the year. Also, select teams unveil new third or retro jerseys that will be worn in the following year. With the NHL suspension, teams have had more time to discuss and create these logos and uniforms. With the 2020 NHL Draft now finished and free agency approaching, various teams have unveiled new logos and uniforms that will take the ice next season. It is always very interesting to see how different teams have different approaches to anniversary designs, or even new uniforms in general. With this in mind, let’s break down the new branding unveiled by several teams so far this offseason.

Calgary Flames: Full Retro

The Calgary Flames made a move that was long overdue with their branding. After years of waiting, the retro uniforms are officially returning full time. With this move, what was their retro uniform with the red base and “White C” logo is the full time home uniform, and their 2019 Heritage Classic jersey is now officially the road jersey. As a result, it can now be said that Calgary has one of the top uniform sets in the league. The retro jersey has always been regarded as one of the best thirds in the league by the fans, and the Heritage jersey has received positive reviews this season. As a result, it’s a minor change with two uniforms that have been used in the past year, but it’s major in the fact that they now have one of the best jersey sets in the league.

Buffalo Sabres: Royal Blue

Heading into Buffalo’s 50th anniversary, the team had announced the return of Royal Blue uniforms. The team unveiled the rebrand in August and a lot of the jersey is fairly similar. The logo is the same, and the stripes also remain in the same pattern, albeit a little thicker, but royal blue takes the place of navy. Although not much has changed with their uniforms, the minor tweak in color adds a unique flair that the royal blue didn’t have. The home uniform has a lighter shade to it throughout with the change in shade. However, the road uniform looks noticeably better; the jersey uses royal blue exceptionally well on the shoulders and stripes on the sleeves and waist. It has an old time feel that calls back to the early days of the team, and it looks fresh as a collective. Fans have wanted the royal blue to return for awhile, and the team has lived up to their end with fresh looking, new uniforms.

Ottawa Senators: 2D Logo

With the Ottawa Senators looking to begin a new era, the team decided to scrap the “3D Senator” logo for a new one. However, the new logo was a logo of the past: the original 2D Senator that they joined the league with. The team unveiled the logo in September and released the uniforms that came with it right before the NHL Draft began. The look overall is very decent. The old logo returns and takes centerstage on the black home and white road uniforms. There are red and black stripes found throughout the uniform, but they stand out more on the road uniform with the white base. However, the new logo looks great and is a great look for the Senators to start the next chapter in franchise history. Add a fine alternate “S” logo, and the Senators have a fine looking jersey set heading into next year.

Vegas Golden Knights-Third Jersey

When it was reported that Vegas would be adding a third jersey to its rotation, it was likely that the team was using a gold primary color. However, the team made sure the jersey emphasized the “gold,” in “Golden Knights.” Right off the bat, the gold hits hard with it making up the majority of the torso, primary logo, and ends of the sleeves. The top of the sleeves feature gray, white, and red stripes, and the alternate star logo takes the shoulders. While it isn’t necessarily a bad jersey, the white doesn’t matchup well with the gold. If black was used in the spots where white was used, it wouldn’t be as hard on the eyes. However, even if that were the case, it can be said that the jersey can be viewed as a disappointment among the hockey community.

Columbus Blue Jackets-20th Anniversary Logo

With Columbus celebrating its 20th anniversary this season, the team made a jersey patch to honor the upcoming season. The logo itself is relatively simple. Columbus’ logo is in the foreground with the number 20 behind it. On the bottom is the year of the team’s founding, 2000, and the iconic cannon is found on the top. The team also made another variation of this logo with the colors of its alternate jersey and the alternate logo in place of the primary. As a result, the logo is simple yet effective and is a fine way to commemorate the 20th anniversary festivities.

Minnesota Wild-20th Anniversary Logo

Another club celebrating its 20th season is the Minnesota Wild. Like the Jackets, they also made a fine logo to commemorate the special season. At the top of the logo is a north star, symbolizing both the name of the former NHL team that played in the State of Hockey and the star in the current team’s logo. Underneath the years of their lifespan is the number 20 in the team’s old jersey font. Add the team’s logo underneath the 20, and the Wild did a very good job of connecting the past and the present. Using the logo they stuck with throughout their history, the old number font from the jerseys of old, and a North Star with several degrees of meaning, and the Wild encapsulate the history of Minnesota hockey very well.

Arizona Coyotes-25th Anniversary Logo

With Arizona celebrating 25 years in the desert, the team made two logos to honor the occasion. Both logos are in the shape of the state the Coyotes play in, but each contains details pertaining to their past and present. The current logo has the Coyotes logo of today in the foreground with the number 25 behind it. However, in the very back of the logo, you can see small sections of dark red and black. However, they are each not just for show, as they are in the shape of the Arizona state flag. Red and black sections are in a shape similar to red and orange stripes on the flag, and a star is between the two digits.

Meanwhile, the second logo takes advantage of the Kachina logo and jersey. The logo is in the foreground with the 25 behind it, but there are three different sections of color. Dark red and black are on the top and bottom of the logo respectively, but the center contains a stripe patterned like that on the Kachina jersey.  elements throughout the logos, and they all add up to make two very strong anniversary logos for the upcoming season.

Winnipeg Jets-10th Anniversary Logo

Originally, the Jets were planning on using the logo on the left. The roman numeral “X” is the main shape of this logo, and the rest is all based on the Jets’ logo. A jet is in the center of the logo, and a Winnipeg Jets primary logo is on top. Branching out from the wings is the lifespan of the new Jets, and the nose and tail of the jet add sharpness to the top and bottom of the logo. However, the Jets made a slight change to the logo before the draft to honor a legend of the old Jets.

Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk passed away on August 18 due to cancer, and he was one of the greatest players the city of Winnipeg ever saw. While the hockey world mourns his passing, the Jets will honor his legacy with a tweak to the logo they unveiled weeks earlier. Instead of a Jets logo found at center, his number ten is in the middle instead. As a result, the number ten carries greater significance for the Winnipeg Jets this season. Not only does it reflect upon their history, but it also reflects upon the life and legacy of the man known as “Ducky.”

As a result, the NHL has seen a wide variation of new uniforms, logos, and patches introduced so far this offseason. With the offseason being young, it won’t be a surprise if more teams introduce new branding as time goes on. Whatever the occasion, it is always fun to see how teams use their logos to promote themselves, and hopefully more unique logos will come out as the offseason progresses.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.